2016 Lexus ES, 2016 Scion iA Earn IIHS Top Safety Pick Plus Award
The 2016 Lexus ES and the 2016 Scion iA both received the highest safety award — Top Safety Pick Plus — from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, giving their parent company, Toyota, 10 cars that have earned the honor.
Related: 2016 Scion iA, iM: First Drives
Changes were made to the 2016 ES’ front structure, A-pillar and roof rail, door-hinge pillar and doorsill, helping it to earn the top rating of good in the difficult small overlap frontal crash test that simulates the front corner of a car hitting a tree or a light pole. The ES’ ratings apply to both the gas-powered ES 350 and ES 300h hybrid. It also earned top ratings of good — on a scale of good, acceptable, marginal and poor — in the moderate overlap, side, roof-strength and head restraint tests.
Lexus improved the ES’ optional front-crash prevention system and scored a superior rating this year, up from an advanced rating. Crash prevention systems are rated on a scale of superior, advanced and basic. In IIHS tests, the sedan avoided a collision in track tests at 12 mph and 25 mph, and its forward collision warning system meets the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s criteria.
The brand-new iA is the least expensive car to come with a standard front crash prevention system, and it’s paying off with the sedan’s safety ratings.
The iA received good scores in all of IIHS’ tests, including the small overlap crash test where measurements taken from the crash-test dummy indicate a low risk of injuries in a similar crash situation.
In track tests, the iA avoided a collision at 12 mph thanks to its standard low-speed front crash prevention system. However, the system doesn’t work at higher speeds or have a warning feature, so it earned a front crash prevention score of advanced.
